Ramadan in UAE: How do you react when a fasting colleague’s stomach growls?

Ramadan in UAE: How do you react when a fasting colleague’s stomach growls?

7 changes a fasting person’s body goes through and why some of them may actually be good for health

Published: Mon 3 Apr 2023, 6:00 AM Last updated: Mon 3 Apr 2023, 8:14 AM

Imagine a meeting room full of top executives at a workplace. As you are brainstorming ideas, a fasting colleague tries to stifle a yawn several times. Another colleague’s stomach lets out an audible growl. How would you react?

Doctors in the UAE are calling on non-fasting residents to be mindful of the changes their fasting colleagues’ bodies go through during the holy month of Ramadan.

“The key is to be understanding, respectful, and accommodating of your colleagues who are fasting,” said Raghda Adi, a clinical dietitian at Medcare Hospital Sharjah.

“With a little bit of empathy and consideration, non-Muslims can help make fasting a more manageable experience for their fasting colleagues,” added Adi.

Zobia Amin, a clinical psychologist at RAK Hospital, advised non-fasting colleagues to be understanding and patient and not judge.

Excessive yawning and growling stomachs are among the ways human bodies react to abstaining from food and drink and an upended sleep cycle. Other ways include irritability, drowsiness/dizziness, headaches and fatigue.

For Ruba Elhourani, senior clinical dietician and head of the Nutrition